Recolouring a faded soft top

From Graeme Oxley's lockdown project in 2020. His full story, with photos, is in News.

A black vinyl hood that has faded to grey doesn't have to be replaced if it still keeps the rain out. Graeme recoloured his with Tautflex, a water-based flexible paint made by Vipond in Tullamarine, Victoria, for vinyl, leather, canvas and rubber. A litre of satin black was plenty for three coats on a Stag hood. Shoe polish, which he tried first, lasted only a couple of weeks.

Steps

1. Scrub the hood with soapy water and let it dry.
2. Wipe it down thoroughly with methylated spirits, outside or with good ventilation.
3. Mask the paintwork, glass and trim around the hood.
4. Brush on a light first coat.
5. Wait at least two hours (longer in hot weather), then brush on a second coat.
6. Next day, add a third coat to the top surface if it needs it.

Tips

• Don't do it on a hot or windy day. At 28 degrees the paint wouldn't flow smoothly.
• Use a good quality brush. Graeme reckons spraying would give a better finish still.
• Vipond can colour match other colours from a sample, so it works for coloured hoods and interiors too.

Tried it, or something else? Tell us in Tech Q&A.